4 Wheel Alignement

[downsmen]

Just had my wheels aligned as it was pulling to one side its runs really good now it straight as a arrow.
The only down side is the steering wheel is not straight anymore.
They said at the gararge it could be many things but said the easiest way is to move the steering wheel.
Should this be right and how hard is this to do?

[Jimbob]

easiest for them or you!

to my knowledge it is done using the trackrods...

Set steering wheel straight and hold there.

adjust both trackrods so road wheels pointing where they should.

job done.

ohh, and did they set camber at all (as in proper geometry) or was it just alignment?  In which case watch out for strange tyre wear.

[TheBoy]

Just had my wheels aligned as it was pulling to one side its runs really good now it straight as a arrow.
The only down side is the steering wheel is not straight anymore.
They said at the gararge it could be many things but said the easiest way is to move the steering wheel.
Should this be right and how hard is this to do?

Assuming nobody has previously removed the wheel and put it back on incorrectly, this is definately the WRONG thing to do.  The Omega has a steering box with pittman arms, which will all be in the wrong place.


I'd normally say that you need to get the idiots to do it again, but won't in this case because:

a) they obviously either lazy or inept
b) 4 wheel alignment is a waste of time and money on the Omega. You need a proper geometry check done on it.

[downsmen]

They said they did a geomatary check, and i have got a printed copy of measurements but they also said they couldnt get the wheel straight.They also said they had a hurse in the other day and this also had the same problem.


Its not far out but enough to annoy you .
What should i do?

[alank46]

Hi
Take it to WIM, they will do the job properly.
Alan

What should i do?

[feeutfo]

Common on the omega sadly, who did the work what was adjusted? And did they give you a print out? What are the current settings?

If the only problem is the steering wheel is slightly off then tarck rod adjustment is the only correct way to do it for reasons given. Moving the steering wheel is a bodge, it's not easy to get off, and the spline spacing means it probably won't be correct anyway.

Wim have failed every single visit to set my s wheel correctly, so your not alone.

Must type quicker, 

[wheels-inmotion]

Unfortunately the "collective" play in the steering makes the final position of the wheel hard to finalize. In an ideal world there would be no play, but it's not an ideal world.

[feeutfo]

Unfortunately the "collective" play in the steering makes the final position of the wheel hard to finalize. In an ideal world there would be no play, but it's not an ideal world.

Yeah yeah, I reckon there is a note against my reg,"fussy pita customer, never ever set the wheel straight on this car" 

[Kevin Wood]

The steering box has its' correct centre position marked on the column and is also damped more greatly around the centre position such that the feel of the steering will be awful if this is not respected and the wheel is moved relative to the box.

It was a toe adjustment that put it out of true, and therefore the toe adjustment is the correct way to bring it back.

It's also less hassle than removing the airbag, steering wheel, etc. cowboys.

Kevin

[TheBoy]

Unfortunately the "collective" play in the steering makes the final position of the wheel hard to finalize. In an ideal world there would be no play, but it's not an ideal world.

I have always been more than satisfied with the results of my WIM visits.  Despite low profile, wide (for Omegas) tyres, I've always found mine to come away from WIM running straight and true.  Well, until the first big pothole taken at speed, anyway

Which reminds me, expect a PM on your forum soon, I've got a 2nd Omega showing the usual tyre wear issues 

[downsmen]

Current settings are as follows

Left Front                   Right Front
Camber 1.25              Camber 1.25
Caster   5.15              Caster   5.16
Toe       0.05              Toe        0.06

              Total Toe       0.11
              Steer Ahead   0.00


Left Rear                    Right Rear
Camber 1.58              Camber 1.56
Toe       0.12              Toe        0.12

              Total Toe       0.24
              Thrust Angle   0.00

They adjusted everything a little but the main adjustment was Right Front Camber wich was 2.42

[Kevin Wood]

Current settings are as follows

Left Front                   Right Front
Camber 1.25              Camber 1.25
Caster   5.15              Caster   5.16
Toe       0.05              Toe        0.06

              Total Toe       0.11
              Steer Ahead   0.00


Left Rear                    Right Rear
Camber 1.58              Camber 1.56
Toe       0.12              Toe        0.12

              Total Toe       0.24
              Thrust Angle   0.00

They adjusted everything a little but the main adjustment was Right Front Camber wich was 2.42

Looks like they did well.

Do you have noticeable play in the straight ahead (of the steering wheel) position?

I would ask them to repeat the toe adjustment and road test it to ensure correct wheel position.

Kevin

[downsmen]

What do you mean in play in steering wheel?

[Kevin Wood]

If you rock the wheel left to right while an assistant feels for movement at each front wheel, how much movement can you get before the wheel moves?

Thinking if there's play in the system this may have caused the inaccuracy in the toe setting assuming the wheel was straight ahead.

Also worth checking the steering idler and track rod ends for play.

Kevin

[2woody]

the correction must not be repaired by re-positioning the steering wheel. ( note use of the word "must" )

the steering damper in the box only works when the box ix in the straight-ahead position, which is not what you currently have.

step 1 load the car
step 2 set front camber
step 3 ensure both steering wheel and steering box are in the "straight ahead" position
step 4 set toe-in on front and toe/camber on rear